Rantauprapat Station Becomes Favourite Destination for Returnees During 2026 Eid Transport

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Divisi Regional I North Sumatra has recorded a continuous increase in passenger movements during the Eid transport peak period in 2026. Up to the 10th day of the transport period, Rantauprapat Station has become the favourite arrival station for people travelling from Medan city. Based on company data, KAI Divre I North Sumatra has served a total of 84,933 passengers during the Eid transport period running from 11 to 20 March 2026. Of that number, 11,244 passengers chose Rantauprapat Station as their final destination. Acting Head of Public Relations for KAI Divre I North Sumatra, Anwar Yuli Prastyo, revealed that the high mobility towards Rantauprapat is driven by the passenger profile dominated by migrants and students. “Many people from Labuhanbatu who are pursuing education or working in Medan city. Moments like Eid al-Fitr are used to return home. Trains are the chosen mode because Rantauprapat Station is strategically located in the centre of government,” said Anwar on Friday (20/3). He added that the ease of onward transport access is an added value for returnees. The station’s location close to the Labuhanbatu Regency government centre facilitates customers in continuing their journeys to their respective homes via various local transport options. During the 2026 Eid Transport period from 11 March to 1 April 2026, Rantauprapat Station serves four train arrivals every day, consisting of KA Sribilah Utama and KA Sribilah Fakultatif. All these journeys depart from Medan Station with a total capacity of 2,112 seats per day. Anwar noted that KA Sribilah Utama with arrival schedules at 14.05 WIB and 20.50 WIB are the favourite times for customers. “During the 14–19 March period, tickets for both schedules sold more than 100 percent of the capacity of each train, which has 520 seats. This shows high enthusiasm from the public,” he explained. Although some people in North Sumatra celebrated Eid al-Fitr on Friday (20/3), passenger movements are still monitored as dynamic. Up to 09.00 WIB, KAI has served 8,732 passengers on that day, and the number is predicted to continue increasing. Overall, the total tickets sold during the 22-day Eid Transport period in North Sumatra reached 145,232 tickets or about 60 percent of the total available capacity. To accommodate the high demand, KAI Divre I North Sumatra implemented strategic policies by extending the operational period of additional facilities. The extension was made for KA Sribilah Fakultatif, which was originally planned to end on 20 March, now until 25 March 2026, so the total transport capacity now reaches 241,848 seats. “KAI Divre I North Sumatra realises that returning home is an important moment for the public to return to their families. Therefore, all our staff are committed to continue providing the best service, ensuring travel safety, and delivering premium service from departure to arrival at the destination station. KAI will continue to strive to be a reliable transportation solution amid the high dynamics of public movement in North Sumatra,” said Anwar.